Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. So, why not?
Instead of becoming immersed, addicted to Black Friday at the malls down below, why don’t we just change our outlook and have a Green Friday, dedicated to not polluting the air with our needless shopping trips elsewhere, or spending money where it won’t come back to our community?
Trying to visit all the shops in Nederland has been our goal for the past couple weeks and we will also drop in at the shops in Gilpin County, trying to let locals in on the great deals in our small mountain shops, who depend on our business to survive.
This week, we walked around First and Second Street, Ned’s downtown area, easily accessible to pedestrians and visitors unfamiliar with the area. On the corner is Nature’s Own, jam-packed with gifts from Mother Earth, a store that attracts shoppers from all over the Front Range.
Matthew Williams and Alex Cummings from Portland, Oregon said they came to Nederland to take their kids on a Carousel of Happiness ride and they happened to see the geodes and couldn’t stop themselves from browsing. They ended up buying onyx dice and rose quartz.
Employee Suzanne Kelso said ammonite is one of the more popular gifts this season as well as moldavite, a gem created by a meteorite hit and fashioned into pendants that will be treasured for a lifetime. The store has a large selection of science projects for kids, fascinating, educational gifts that both parents and children would love to see under the tree. For those who have absolutely everything, Nature’s Own always has a supply of Himalayan Bath Salts that are perfect after a day on the slopes, or shoveling.
Across from Nature’s Own on the highway, The Shop has scrumptious women’s clothing, perfect for the dinners, the parties and the box under the tree. The Shop is a gently used clothing store with a 30 percent discount on Black Friday.
On the west side of First Street, the Rustic Moose is the epitome of a place to shop filled with Moosely gifts and Bearley things. Employee Jenny Levey said the stylin’ ponchos are a hot item especially when accessorized with scarves and hats. Nederland specialty jackets, hoodies, t-shirts and hats are a perfect gift for those out-of-town relatives who want to feel connected.
Hundreds of mountain type ornaments hang from the tree: warm socks, slippers, fun jewelry, mugs, gloves, welcoming moose signage; art and a taste of Tungsten Toffee on the counter. Moose jammies are way cool, and warm.
Next to the Rustic Moose, one of Nederland’s longest-lasting shops, The Mountain People’s Co-op, has everything one needs for holiday baking with a large selection of spices, nuts, flours and fruits. Locally made candles scent the shop with cloves and jasmine, lavender and vanilla.
Copies of the Grace of Gratitude Journal, which won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, are stacked next to vanilla extracts; holiday cards, incense and bulk olive oil are just a hint of the co-op’s diverse inventory.
On the other side of First Street, the Renaissance Woman offers chain mail jewelry, masks, dream catchers, and journey sticks. The shop takes in artwork on consignment and has a collection of mini cross-bows and large cross-bows as well as attractive containers of fairy dust.
At the Crafted in Colorado shop, employee Laura Cartwright says she is especially fond of the Maruca handbags, in winter colors and very affordable. Promising to be a one of a kind gift, reindeer leather bracelets, popular in Sweden, are made locally. Pottery from the Wandering Blue Studios in Nederland make an excellent special gift. The shop also has a display box filled with Reload products, necklaces and earring made of used bullets. Frozen Dead Guy Days necklaces will please the festival aficionados.
On Second Street, the Tin Shed not only has bicycles, it also has whatever one needs for snowsports, including Fat Bikes with snow tires for $10 an hour or $45 a day. It could be a great winter activity for those guests from southern climes.
Manager Josh Harrod says there will be holiday specials, something different every day that can be found on their Facebook page.
The Nederland Feed and Pet Shop on Second Street could be the answer to a gift that animal owners would love. A 40-pound bag of dog food, chicken food, wild bird seed would be challenging stocking stuffers but very appreciated.
Owner Abby Pause says she also has an interesting supply of body parts: chicken feet, pig’s ears, lamb’s tracheas and beef tendons, all of which would make any dog drool with happiness. As well as toys, tons of toys, freshly stocked for the holidays.
It’s just two blocks in a small town, but those two blocks could be the answer to the holiday shopping blues. Think inside the blocks.
